Gov. Pat Quinn will be setting dates for a primary and general election to pick a new Second District of Illinois congressman. Until a new lawmaker is sworn-in, Jackson's Washington and district staffers stay on the House payroll to provide constituent casework assistance and other services.

They will be supervised by the clerk of the House; under House rules, the clerk manages offices when a seat is vacated, whether by -- and this is common -- resignation or death -- or the rare case of expulsion.